12 get life term for killing father-son duo over witchcraft in Odisha’s Gajapati
Bhubaneswar: The Additional Sessions Judge’s Court in Paralakhemundi on Thursday awarded life imprisonment to 12 persons by holding them guilty of killing a father-son duo on the suspicion of witchcraft in Gajapati district of Odisha in 2021.
The convicts were identified as Josua Gamango, Benjamin Gamango, Sanjay Gamango, Abhimanyu Raika, Kandra Gamango alias Janas, Mikhaiel Gamango, Seto Raika, Jiri alias Jermiya Raika, Abraham Badaraita, Junesh Raita, Kura Raita, and Somanath Gamango. All the convicts belong to Muthaguda village under Adava police limits.
As per the case details, on June 12, 2021, a village meeting was held near the house of accused Josua Gamango at village Muthaguda under Adava Police Station limits in Gajapati district. It was decided during the meeting that the deceased, Luka Dalabehera, was killing fellow villagers by practising witchcraft. Subsequently, Luka and his son Anuka Dalabehera were taken to the Kusumsahi village field on the outskirts and were brutally murdered. Anuka was killed by the accused persons by slitting his throat.
Acting on the written report of Ludia Gamango, deceased Luka’s daughter, the Adava Police registered a case (63/21) on June 13, 2021, and after thorough investigation submitted the charge-sheet against 12 accused persons.
In an official statement, the Gajapati police informed that the Court, after examining the witness statements and other exhibits, held the deaths of both deceased as homicidal and rejected the defence plea of false implication.
The Superintendent of Police, Gajapati Prahalad Sahai Meena, has appreciated the sincere efforts of the Investigating Officers, Prosecuting Officer and Court staff which led to conviction in this heinous double murder case.
In another significant judgement, a local court in Rayagada District on Thursday sentenced a person to life imprisonment for killing his wife in February 2024. The convict was identified as Gurunath Gouda of Bhatipas village under Kashipur police station area in Rayagada district.
On February 5, 2024, Gouda hacked his wife, Puspa Gouda, to death with an axe over some familial dispute in his house. The victim, who was bleeding profusely, was rushed to the hospital at Thuamulrampur, where the doctors declared her dead.